The percentage of income that Connecticut residents donated to charity in 2012 was the sixth lowest of the 50 states, but up from 2006, according to a report by nonprofit industry journal The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Connecticut residents gave 2.34 percent of gross adjusted income, which is income minus some expenses, retirement contributions and other deductions. That was up from 2.25 percent in 2006.
Though the state’s giving ratio ranks 45th in the country, the total amount given — $3.07 billion — is the 20th highest of the 50 states and second highest in New England, behind Massachusetts, according to the report.
Connecticut’s giving ratio is the highest in New England.
Across the state, members of the poorest income bracket (under $25,000) gave the highest percentage of their income, at 5.5 percent.
Of the 50 largest metro areas in the country, Greater Hartford — comprising Hartford, Tolland and Middlesex counties — ranked last in 2012, giving 1.9 percent or $616.8 million.
Residents of wealthy Fairfield County were the most generous in the state, giving 3.09 percent, or $2.05 billion.
Hartford County donated 2.09 percent, which amounted to $492.6 million. The county is nearly as populous as Fairfield County, but has an adjusted gross income that is roughly half the size.
Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net
